Monday, October 19, 2009

Naked Lady (Athletes) Monday

Nothing like a little gratuitous muscle definition to perk up your Monday morning. EPSN’s Body Issue came out earlier this month and it featured a bunch of buff athletes in the buff (and near buff). There are many ways to describe these pictures: inspiring, motivational, drool-worthy. What I respect most, however, is the hard work that goes into every ripple, every curve, every bulge. All of this takes commitment, determination and a whole lot of sweat. Which reminds me, damn, I should really get to the gym.

The ESPN issue with the naked women on the cover actually has 6 different covers--3 with naked female athletes and 3 with naked male athletes. I assume Dorothy included only the women for obvious reasons!

They are so not masculine looking! That's a strong healthy body made to perform, and a pleasure to see. Size 2 and limp like a noodle is not what were are celebrating here. They are pretty awesome in my book!

Some women were appalled by the issue, but I loved it. The pictures ran the gamut from playful to fierce and all were well done (male as well as female).

On another site there was concern that the photos portrayed the women as coy and the men as powerful. So not the case; if you go through the magazine, you'll see that there is balance. I think my favorite skin picture was the one of the Edmonton Oilers in the locker room. Page 120. Talk about coy.

The most compelling of the photos was the section on scars and injuries. Ouch.

Anyone who boycotted the issue missed some excellent articles including one on the crap that female athletes get for showing off their looks. Golfer Sandra Gal nailed it: "Other magazines show anorexic women and celebrities like Paris Hilton. This is about showing off our athleticism and how fit we have to be to play at this level."

I love how different sports produce different muscles. And you only see that if the athlete is wearing, well, not much. For example, Michelle Carter, shot putter, has amazing thick strong arm and leg muscles; Susan Francia, rower, has the most amazing extended back muscle; Bevilacqua, surfer, has great ab/hip definition from surfboard manipulation. Yes, all these women are hotties, but also just seeing how various the hotness of muscles can be is amazing!